The Positive Psychology Of Meditation Training by Chad Foreman (click here to read this article)

Positive Psychology

I am excited about a fairly new development in the science of psychology which I think can revolutionise the way we think about mental health. Unlike traditional psychological models where the focus is on eliminating neurosis or abnormalities in a person, positive psychology takes a new approach and works on promoting the positive attributes in a person to encourage the flourishing of the whole human being. It comes under a broader category of the science of happiness.

Basically it’s working on your strengths rather than trying to eliminate your weaknesses. Focusing on what you want rather than on what you don’t want. There is very good logic to this. Just because you eliminate your weaknesses does not mean you will be happy, but if you actively cultivate what researchers have found to make people happy you will find the happiness and well being you are looking for.

When I first came across positive psychology the similarities to the Buddhist path I’d been training in struck me. In fact Buddha summed up his teachings on how to live a good life and overcome suffering by saying:

“Cultivate virtue, eliminate negativity and purify the mind.”

I want to focus on the first piece of advice which is to cultivate virtue, that’s exactly what positive psychologist are now recommending. Further similarities can be found in what Buddha described as virtues and what modern psychologists are now saying. Qualities like open mindedness, social connection, patience, mindfulness and loving kindness are all on the positive psychology list of what makes people happy and flourish and are also virtues Buddha recommended to cultivate too.

Buddha defined virtue as actions motivated by positive states of mind that cause happiness for yourself and others. Non virtue is then actions motivated by negative states of mind that cause suffering to yourself and others. He also advised to know well what causes happiness and know well what causes suffering and choose the path that leads to happiness. Seems simple enough.

Of course it’s not that simple. Why? Because of our ingrained habits that do not lead to happiness that are entrenched in our behaviour. This stems from a fundamental assumption about where we believe happiness comes from. We are conditioned to believe happiness comes from external events and possessions but in reality happiness comes from positive or healthy states of mind and not from having or consuming things.

A new mindfulness based therapy calledAcceptance and Commitment Therapy first works on accepting the present moment through mindfulness training, even accepting the inner ‘demons’ without trying to get rid of them and then putting your full attention on manifesting your values in the present moment.

Meditation Training

A key to understand meditation is found in the Tibetan word for meditation which is ‘gompa’ which translates as something like ‘to familiarise’. Meditation then is a conscious effort to familiarise yourself with virtuous states of mind; positive mental states that promote happiness and undermine negative states of mind.

So meditation is gaining familiarity with positive states of mind like mindfulness, loving kindness, contentment and patience. The more you sit down and cultivate these intentionally the happier you will be in your daily life. A great meditation master Sogyal Rinpoche said meditation is simply practising contentment. Being comfortable in your own skin. Not trying to change anything but finding the simple joy of just being alive.

Really you can meditate on anything even negative things. Worrying is meditating on what you don’t want and this can consume people’s lives and become debilitating. Meditation often shows very quickly what we do place our attention on. When you sit down to meditate you become very conscious of all the junk that goes through our minds that occupies our attention. Our attention plays big part in how we experience reality. What we choose to place our attention on is exactly what we experience in the present moment; most of the time this is an unconscious choice due to past associations.

Meditation is learning the skill of controlling our attention so we can place it on things that will reduce mental suffering and bring happiness to ourselves and to others.

Being able to wilfully control your attention can help us choose happiness over mental suffering. Even scientific researchers have found that happiness comes from how we perceive things rather than the actual things themselves. ( Ted Talk about where happiness comes from) We tend to over estimate the happiness of possessions and material success and also over estimate the suffering from not having those things. Within the Buddhist tradition this over estimation of the happiness and suffering found in things is called attachment and aversion and Buddha said that these misconceptions are the main source of suffering in our lives.

The truth is: it is how we think about something that brings happiness or suffering not the actual thing itself. This is hard to accept, but when you do see the truth in that statement you begin to realise how important meditation is especially in gaining control over what you place your attention on.

You can literally transform suffering into happiness through training your mind to perceive things differently. When I fully learnt the truth of this I realised that nothing could really harm me not even negative karma because I could always see things differently and synthesis happiness and well being regardless of circumstances. This enables confidence in yourself and reduces fear and anxiety about events and circumstances.

Every time you refocus your attention consciously you are developing a stronger mind.

The highest type of meditation is actually not to place your mind on anything but let it be free, unimpeded and without reference points. Which is a type of refocusing from being caught up in thoughts to being free from their opinions. This Zen experience is very ordinary, just an ongoing transparent simplicity. It is sometimes called meditating on your true nature or in Zen terms gaining familiarity with ‘no mind’ or no self.

Gaining familiarity with your true nature is diving into a world of no words, it’s simply an authentic directness with the present moment. Even with this advanced type of meditation you are familiarising with the nature of clarity and presence which is beyond ordinary descriptions. It is actually a completely natural state where you don’t need to change anything or add anything to; it is simply this moment as it is.

Rather than this type of non verbal clarity being independent and isolated from your life it actually helps to see clearly and honestly what brings happiness to yourself and others and what holds you back. Clearly seeing reality and acting accordingly is the Way of Meditation.

Therefore, today we have the opportunity to merge the ancient inner technologies of meditation with the new sciences of happiness. We can learn exactly what mental states make us happy and what mental states make us suffer and by learning to stabilise our attention through meditation we can become happier and enable our lives to flourish.

Please Note

This site is a tool to use in addition to any professional help you may be receiving. At U matter we understand that the lessons we have provided will not work for everyone. We encourage you to take what you can from each lesson and just keep moving forward on your path to discovering your greatness.

We also understand that these lessons may feel overwhelming at first. Do what you can do from the place you’re in; tomorrow we invite you back to do a bit more. We ask you to be gentle and loving towards yourself.

Take your time and understand that you are who you are by all the events that have taken place in your life. It may take time for you to rediscover the real you underneath all the layers of personality, behaviors, and ideas we hold about ourselves. Be patient and allow yourself to be whatever you are.

Know that right now in whatever condition you are in you are loved and needed it this world! We don’t work on ourselves to make us better for the world. We work on ourselves to make us better for ourselves, so that we can claim the peace that lives within all of us.

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I am a Non-Denominational Ordained Minister, I’ve had a keen interest in self-help and spirituality for the last 20 years of my life. I spent eight years working with a doctor holding study groups, meditation groups and facilitating workshops which he and I developed. During and after my time with Dr. Johnson I found the Ishaya Monks, in total I spent eight years traveling around with them. I eventually took vows and became an Ishaya for a year. During my time with the Ishayas, I would go on meditation retreats for up to two months at a time. After I left the Ishayas, I attended Western University to study Psychology and English for a period of two years. I have training in a few different healing modalities. Other courses I have taken include Palliative Care, Toast Masters (to learn how to become a professional speaker). I have a native spirituality course and was fire keeper for a sweat lodge. Over the years I have facilitated workshops and talks in schools, the Canadian Mental Health Association, Rogers Daytime TV and been a guest and a host on CHRW radio at Western University. Currently, I am a self-employed artist and I have been in business for the last 25 years. I have volunteered as a Big Brother (eight years), Palliative Care Support Worker (one year) and worked with special needs children and adults (three years). Workshops I have taught over the years include, Become a Gentle-Man, Meditation and Journey to the Hearts Riches.

Being raised in a small town has taught me the value of seeing each person as an individual. Growing up in a time before hand held electronics, cell phones and computers gave me the perfect environment to absorb life at my own pace. My passion has always been to serve from the heart. I believe in strong morals and the importance of community; this has led me to where I am able to support others today in their journey. My own path has been one of considerable strength, pain and personal triumph. I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, I have been on both sides of the medical system, as a long-term patient with chronic illness and as a health care worker. I have overcome several traumas, this helps others relate to me. Overcoming my life long addiction by removing fear has given me the courage and wisdom I now share with the world. Living life as an observer, has taught me kindness, patience and most of all compassion in abundance to share with those who cross my path. It is my hope that anyone who crosses Umatter’s path, will find the connection they are seeking, with themselves and with us, your support community.

Since I was a little girl my passion and focus has always been on helping others. I remember at the tender age of 4 my Grandfather telling me that I was going to help many people and change lives. He was right. Throughout my early adulthood I experienced trauma from abuse in its many forms. This left me feeling used, broken and lost. It is by the Grace of God I am here today to pay forward what I have learned in overcoming these traumas and to help others that are going through similar experiences. My journey to recovery has been ongoing. A few years ago I was diagnosed with a chronic pain condition called Fibromyalgia. I have since founded and now facilitate an online Fibromyalgia support group and have a community page where I advocate and spread awareness for chronic pain and mental health issues, treatments and coping strategies. In 2005 I decided to put my passion and focus for helping others to good use. I went back to school and started my path to becoming a Social Worker. I studied Social Work and Psychology and graduated with highest honours. In 2007/2008 I continued my education and graduated with honours as a Social Service Worker. I have worked, volunteered, advocated and fundraised for various agencies, charities and non profit organizations since then. I am a certified Peer Support Counsellor, Certified Respite Support Worker and have been trained in Crisis Intervention including suicide prevention. Mental Health has been a major component in my training. I am truly blessed, honoured and excited to become a member of the You Matter team. I look forward to learning and growing through the practice of Mindfulness and Meditation.